All-steel nailable car flooring



E. n.. BROWN ALL-STEEL NAILABLE CAR FLOORING June M 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 19, 1965 Fume 13, E967 E. l.. BROWN ALL-STEEL NAILABLE CAR FLOORING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 19, v1965 Ww WW Wm MN a, 4 W` Fmlw Ufo. W FHI/MNHHMUHI. uw .NTI la um 6 f www Unull/IIIIIMIH. un

Ohio

Filed May 19, 1965, Ser. No. 456,976 1o Claims. (C1. 52-377) This invention relates to a metallic flooring assembly for railroad cars and similar structures. In railroad cars, trucks and similar vehicles, there will usually be a series of girders extending longitudinally of the floor; and flooring elements of generally channel-sl1aped Vcross section are laid in the transverse direction with some at least of `the channels fastened to the girders. A metallic fioor construction is `desired which will be adequately strong to support the loads between the girders, and nailability is desirable not only to fasten down an over-floor (if one 1s used), but also and more usually to permit the nailing of two-by-fours or other timber elements to the car oor in such positions that these timber elements may be used as part of the bracing for loads being transported in the car. Nailability is therefore desired at frequent intervals; and it is an object of this invention to provide an adequately strong car ooring to which nails may be affixed at relatively close intervals in the direction of the length of the vehicle.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new structure for the acceptance and retention of nails which simplifies the nailing operation and at the same time permits the deliberate withdrawal of nails when desired. It is also an object of the invention to provide a structure in which the nails are more adequately held.

It is yan object of the invention to provide a flooring structure of adequate strength but utilizing a minimum of metal.

lt is also yan object of the invention to provide a metallic flooring made up of two dissimilar and alternating portions, which increases strength, and simplifies the Iassembly of the structure.

These and other objects of the invention which will be set forth hereinafter or will 'be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading .these specifications are accomplished by that structure and arrangement of parts of which certain exemplary embodiments will now be disclosed. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FlG. l is an end elevational View of one form f the assembled fiooring of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of a modified structure.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational View of a portion of the assembled flooring showing a modified configuration for the acceptance and retention of nails, and the coaction of the nails with a timber element.

FIG. 4 is an end view of one of the dissimilar flooring elements.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the other one of the dissimilar elements.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an assembly of the flooring elements.

FIG. 7 is a partial end view of assembled ooring elements showing yet another configuration for nail retention.

FIG. 8 is a partial end view showing a nail element engaged between contiguous flooring elements.

FIG. 9 is an end View in which the dissimilar parts which constitute the nail retaining means are part of the same channel member.

Referring to FIG. lfthere is disclosed a preferred embodiment in which one of the flooring elements is in the 3,324,6l6 Patented .Furie 13, 1967 shape of a channel having a top platform member 1, forming a part of the fioor platform. The element has downwardly turned strut members 2 and 3, integral with and lying substantially at right angles to the top platform member 1. The strut members have outwardly turned flanges 4 and 5. The channel shaped element thus far described will hereinafter be called the first channel element for convenience.

There is 'a second channel element also illustrated in FIG. l and comprising a top or platform member 6, downwardly turned strut members 7 and 8 inwardly turned flanges 9 and 10. This element will hereinafter be called for convenience the second channel element. It will be noted that the second channel elements are located between and alternate with 4the first channel elements, and that the strut portions of the first and second channel elements lie in general parallelism to but spaced from the corresponding strut members of the second channel elements. Likewise the inturned flanges on the second channel elements lie above and are spaced from the outturned flanges 4 and 5 of the first channel elements.

Nailability is achieved in the structure by driving nails downwardly between the spa-ced strut members of adjacent channel elements. The out-turned anges of the first channel elements join their respective strut members with a carefully chosen radius of curvature marked R in FIG. 1. Nails are driven straight downwardly between the adjacent strut members; but when the points of the nails strike the radial portions R they are bent over so as to be clinched. It is necessary to maintain a spacing between the adjacent strut members and flange members of the first and second channel elements. This may be accomplished in various ways', one of which is shown in FIG. 1. At intervals along the length of the strut members 2 and 3 and the flanges of the first channel elements, the metal is deformed in dies so as to produce hollow protuberances 1I and 12. These protuberances, hereinafter called dimples for convenience, may be made preferably on the fiange and strut members of the first channel elements. They could instead be formed on the strut members 7 and 8 and fiange members 9 and 10 of the second channel elements, but with lesser advantage. It is' possible also t0 form some of the dimples in non-coincident positions on the strut members and flange members of both channel ele-ments; but this increases the cost of manufacture without affording any distinct advantage.

The structures herein described hold nails more securely because the nail when driven in is bent to a sharper radius and through a larger angle than is the case with previous types of nailable metal ooring. The dimples above described and the rib elements hereinafter set forth provide a positive stop against movement of the nail (and hence the timber element held by the nail) in a direction parallel to the length of the channel elements. Also, the longer distance between the timber element and the clinched portion of the nail increases the anchoring pow er of the nail against forces exerted on the timber or other blocking element parallel to the length of the channel elements.

In FIG. 1 one of the girders supporting the flooring is indicated at 13. The out-turned flanges of the first channel elements may be fastened to these girders in any suitable way such as by bolting, riveting, or welding as indicated at 14 and 15.

It will be necessary to fasten the channel elements to each other. This could be done by spot welding a dimple on a strut or liange to the adjacent uncontigured strut and flange of another channel element; but it is easier and simpler to install the flooring by assembling the channel elements together, welding or otherwise fastening the outturned flanges of the first channel elements to the girder 13 and then making tying welds as at 16 and 17 across between the platform portions of the channel elements. These tying welds may occur at intervals of `about one foot in the length of the channel elements or at such other intervals as may be desired. It will be noted that the strut members of the second channel elements are narrower than those of the first channel elements sufficiently to accommodate the illustrated separation of the flanges.

FIG. 2 illustrates a similar construction excepting that in this case the platform portion 6a of the second channel elements is made substantially wider, and in order to achieve the necessary resistance to deflection, a channel shaped element 18 with struts and out-turned flanges is seam-welded or otherwise attached to the central longitudinal portion of the platform member 6a. The depth of the reinforcing element 18 will preferably be such that the outer surface of its base will lie at the level of the outturned flanges 4 and 5 of the first channel elements and will rest upon the girder 13. The width of the reinforcing element 18, 18a may be varied. Where broader platform portions are desired on either the first or second channel elements, reinforcing means may be used. A modified form of a reinforcing element is shown at 18a in FIG. 2 attached to the platform member of the first channel element. The reinforcing element 18a differs from 18 in that it lacks outturned flanges but is welded to the platform portion as at 18h. Either style of reinforcing element may be used.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, wherein like parts have been given like index numerals, a somewhat modified spacing means is shown. This comprises the dimples 12 formed on the out-turned flanges .of the first channel elements; but the strut portions 2 and 3 of the first channel elements are not provided with dimples but instead with vertically extending rib-like members 19 and 20.

Yet another construction is shown in FIG. 7 where the strut 2 of a first channel element is provided with an embossed rib 21 which extends as at 22 onto the flange 4 of the same element. In this construction dimples need not be employed.

While dimensions do not constitute a limitation on the invention, it is well to note certain factors in the nature of examples of the practice of the invention. The transverse dimension of a freight car floor on the inside of the car is usually about ten feet. As a consequence the first and second channel elements above described may Y be made in lengths of about ten feet six inches. The first and second channel elements are usually made from steel having a thickness ranging substantially between 1/16 inch and 1A: inch. The steel may be protected by hot coating with zinc, aluminum, and in other ways, as by painting. Where narrow platform members are desired, the channel elements may have platform members about four inches wide. The separation between the channel elements will preferably be about F/lf; inch or equal to the diameter of the largest nail to be used. Such a structure will provide nailability at intervals of four inches.

The width of the strut members may vary in accordance with the thickness of the material from which the channel elements are made. For example, the overall distance from the top of the platform member 1 to the bottom of the flange 4 in the first channel elements may 'be varied from about 11/2 inches to about 3 inches. The overall depth of the strut members of the second channel elements may be concurrently varied from about 11/1 inches to about 1% inches, allowing the preferred spacing of about BAG inch between the superposed flanges. The width of the flanges in the second channel elements is not critical; but the width of the out-turned flanges on the first channel elements will preferably be not less than about one inch nor more than about 1% inches. The depth of the embossed structures, whether they be dimples as shown in FIG. 1 or ribs as shown in FIGS. 3, 4and 7, will be about 3/16 inch.

It has previously been indicated that there is importance in the radius of the curved portions R which join the strut members to the flange members in the first channel elements. It was found, for example, that when the inside radius at the point R was only about 1/8 inch, a 30 penny nail had a tendency to penetrate the flange. On the other hand a 20 penny nail buckled and did not hold. When the inside radius was increased to about 1A: inch, both sizes of the nails had their points deflected by the lower flange, but the 30 penny nail tended to groove the flange. A preferred inside radius has been found to be about 7/16 inch since this causes nails of both sizes to be properly clinched, and without danger of damage to the flanges. A greater radius decreases the holding power of the nail.

The dimples or ribs hereinabove described are for the purpose of maintaining the proper separation of the respective strut members and flanges. With steel elements of the type hereinabove described, the dimples may be spaced about four inches on centers in the direction of the length of the channel elements. Ribs have greater strength and stability and it will usually be sufficient to space them about twelve inches on centers. It does not amount to a departure from the spirit of the invention, however, to employ -ribs at intervals and dimples located between the ribs. It should be noted that both the ribs and the dimples are primarily spacing means, and are not intended generally to deflect the nails in the direction of the length of the channel elements. Rather the nails are intended to be driven straight downwardly between the strut members until their points are deflected by the radius existing between the strut member and the adjacent flange member of one of the first channel elements. This means that the nail 23 (as illustrated in FIG. 8) may be driven downwardly through a timber element 24 and between the strut members 7 and 3 until it strikes the radius R, after which the end of the nail will be deflected as at 23a between the flanges. Thus the buckling of nails during the driving thereof is very greatly minimized because it is not necessary to deflect or distort the nails until they are almost driven home. Yet the nails are firmly held, being withdrawable when desired.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the floor in which like parts are indicated by like index numerals. The tying welds are shown as previously described. Departures may be made from the dimensions given above without departing from the spirit of the invention; and in particular it will be understood that the thickness of the stock from which the channel elements are made, as well as the depth of the strut members, may be varied in accordance with the estimated loads which the flooring will have to bear. The flooring of this invention, however, is easily laid both on metal girders and on wooden stringers in other types of construction. Among the advantages of the invention are the fact that the nails employed do not have to be chosen or formed to a certain length, taking into account the thickness of the timber elements which are to be nailed to the floor, the nails will not run into stringers or girders which support the flooring but are turned laterally; the strut members are vertically disposed for greater strength and are not curved transversely throughout their width; and a smoother upper floor surface is attained. Moreover, the spaces into which the nails are driven are free of obstmctions until the point of the nail reaches the flange of the first channel section.

Modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit of it. One of such modications is illustra-ted in FIG. 9. Here the top platform member 1 of a single channel element has formed along one of its edges a strut member 2 having an out-turned flange 4. Elements 2 and 4 are the same as the hitherto described strut member and flange on the first channel element. Spacing means 12 and 19 may be employed as above set forth. Along the other side of the top platform member there are formed a strut 8 and an inturned flange 10 similar to those described in connection with the second channel member and illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and elsewhere.

In making a fioor structure the channel elements, one of which is shown in FIG. 9, may be assembled directly together on Ithe girders 13, without the necessity for the use of two different channel elements in alternating position. While the use of the channel structure of FIG. 9 requires the embossing of each channel to provide the spacing means 112 and 19, the cost of this will be offset by the fact that only one type of channel element need be provided. It will be lreadily apparent that the strut 8 and frange 10 of each channel element will coact with the strut 2 and flange 4 of the next succeeding channel element to provide the type of nail-retention means above described.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

I claim:

ll. A metal fiooring for the purpose described and adapted to rest on girders, a series of channel shaped elements in side-by-side relationship, said channel shaped elements having each a top platform member, and straight, substantially perpendicular downwardly extending strut members terminating in flange members parallel to said platform member, adjacent flange members extending in the same direction, certain at least of said strut members and said flanges having spacing embossings thereon acting upon assembly of said channel shaped elements to maintain adjacent strut members in horizontally spaced parallel arrangement and adjacent flange members in vertically spaced parallel arrangement, the lowermost of said flange members being joined to its strut member by a radius of curvature such as will turn the point of a nail so that nails may be driven between said strut members in a direction substantially normal to said top platform members and clinched between said fiange members in a direction substantially parallel to said 'top platform members.

2. The structure claimed in claim I wherein each channel shaped element has on one side a strut with an outturned flange, and on the other side a strut member with an inturned flange.

3. In a metal ooring for the purpose described and adapted to rest upon girders, alternating first and second channel elements, the first channel elements having each a top platform member, straight vertically depending strut members and out-turned flanges parallel to said platform member connected with said strut members by a radius of curvature such as will turn the point of a nail driven alongside the strut members, said second channel elements each comprising a top platform member, straight vertically disposed stru-t members and inturned flanges on the lower edges of said strut members, the adjacent flanges of said first and second channel members extending in the same direction, said first and second channel elements being assembled in alternating fashion on a support with the strut and ange members of the said first and second channel elements lying respectively in spaced relationship to permit nails to be driven therebetween, and means separafting the respectively adjacent strut and fiange members of the said first and second channel elements.

4. The structure claimed in claim 3 in which the fiange elements are attached to underlying girders and in which the platform members of the first and second channel elements are fastened together by tying welds at intervals.

5. The structure claimed in claim 3 wherein the platform members of a channel element are made wider and are provided with median bracing means.

6. The structure claimed in claim 3 wherein the said separating means constitute embossings on the strut and flange members of the first channel elements.

7. The structure claimed in claim 6 in which said embossings are in the form of dome-like hollow congurations.

8. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein the spacing means are in the form of lribs located at least between the strut members of adjacent first and second channel elements.

9. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein the spacing means are in the form of ribs located at least between the strut members of adjacent first and second channel elements and dome-like embossings on the said flanges.

110. The structure claimed in claim 6 wherein the spacing means are in the form of ribs located at least between the strut members of adjacent first and second channel elements, said ribs being common to the strut members and flanges of the said first channel elements.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,457,086 12/1948 Mitchell et al. 52-377 2,907,417 10/1959 Doerr 52-377 3,088,420 5/1963 Faverty et al 52-377 X 3,205,632 9/1965 McCormick a- 52-588 3,216,165 11/1965 Shaver 52-377 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner. R. S. VERMUT, Assistant Examiner.

Disclaimer 3,324,616.Edward L. Brow/n, Middletown, Ohio. ALL-STEEL NAILABLE CAR FLOORING. Patent dated June 13, 1967. Disclaimer filed Dec. 23, 1968, by the assignee, A/rmco Steel Corporation. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 3, 4 and 5 of said patent.

[Ocal Gazette April 29, 1.969.] 

1. A METAL FLOORING FOR THE PURPOSE DESCRIBED AND ADAPTED TO REST ON GIRDERS, A SERIES OF CHANNEL SHAPED ELEMENTS IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP, SAID CHANNEL SHAPED ELEMENTS HAVING EACH A TOP PLATFORM MEMBER, AND STRAIGHT, SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING STRUT MEMBERS TERMINATING IN FLANGE MEMBERS PARALLEL TO SAID PLATFORM MEMBER, ADJACENT FLANGE MEMBERS EXTENDING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, CERTAIN AT LEAST OF SAID STRUT MEMBERS AND SAID FLANGES HAVING SPACING EMBOSSINGS THEREON ACTING UPON ASSEMBLY OF SAID CHANNEL SHAPED ELEMENTS TO MAINTAIN ADJACENT STRUT MEMBERS IN HORIZONTALLY SPACED PARALLEL ARRANGEMENT AND ADJACENT FLANGES MEMBERS IN VERTICALLY SPACED PARALLEL ARRANGEMENT, THE LOWERMOST OF SAID FLANGE MEMBERS BEING JOINED TO ITS STRUT MEMBER BY A RADIUS OF CURVATURE SUCH AS WILL TURN THE POINT OF A NAIL SO THAT NAILS MAY BE DRIVEN BETWEEN SAID STRUT MEMBERS IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO SAID TOP PLATFORM MEMBERS AND CLINCHED BETWEEN SAID FLANGE MEMBERS IN A DIRECTION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID TOP PLATFORM MEMBERS. 